When the sirens sound today, even though it seems more like winter than spring, it's a reminder severe thunderstorm weather is around the corner. The statewide drills at 1:45 p.m.

This latest storm may be packing a bigger punch than originally expected. The National Weather Service increased the snowfall predictions in the Brainerd lakes area to 4-8 inches by the time the storm has run its course on Friday.

A spring storm may add to snow shovelers' woes as another system tracks into Minnesota. The National Weather Service in Duluth reported a spring storm, which could be dumping a foot of snow in Colorado and the Rockies, should be moving this way.

Because severe weather can threaten the lives and property of Minnesotans at any time, Governor Mark Dayton has proclaimed April 15-19 as Severe Weather Awareness Week.

Maybe it's time to forget spring. A snowy cycle doesn't appear to be ready to move on anytime soon. So as the snowstorm totals settle in from the recent heavy snowfall another storm is brewing.

Snowstorm totals ■ 11.2 inches Redwood Falls. ■ 10 inches Montevideo. ■ 9.5 inches Springfield. ■ 8.2 inches St. Cloud. ■ 7 inches Little Falls. ■ 7 inches Pine Center. ■ 6.8 inches Hillman. ■ 5.5 inches Baxter. ■ 5 inches Brainerd.

A major late season snowstorm promises to extend this endless winter with vigor. In Brainerd, the snow is expected to begin in the early morning hours of Thursday, April 11, and pick up by midmorning.

Winter isn't going to relinquish its hold on Minnesota without a fight this year. Snow is back in the forecast for Friday night and into Saturday for a wet and gray weekend.

Last year at this time, winter was a distant memory and Easter egg hunts meant finding colorful plastic containers in the grass.

Snow totals ■ 7 inches Dixon Lake. ■ 5.5 inches Cass Lake. ■ 5 inches Leader. ■ 4.5 inches Breezy Point. ■ 4.5 inches Walker. ■ 3-4 inches Brainerd. ■ 3.8 inches Nisswa.